Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University (FSMVU) was pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Kristin Johnson, Vice Provost at the University of Rhode Island (URI), USA, as part of an Erasmus+ KA171 Teaching Staff Mobility. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen academic dialogue between the two institutions and explore potential areas of cooperation in education, research, and internationalisation.

Strengthening Institutional Cooperation

As part of the mobility programme, Prof. Dr. Johnson paid a courtesy visit to FSMVU Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Simsek. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on strengthening the relationship between the two universities and exploring potential new areas of collaboration. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Simsek highlighted FSMVU’s strong commitment to international academic cooperation and emphasised the potential for developing initiatives that bring together the educational expertise and 555-year-old educational heritage of FSMVU.

Exploring Future Academic Cooperation

A roundtable meeting with academics from FSMVU’s Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and Faculty of Engineering provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on potential areas of future cooperation. Discussions covered a range of possible initiatives, including student and staff mobility, micro-credential and certificate programmes, joint research, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, academic workshops and conferences, cooperation in international diplomacy, language and area studies, Summer School opportunities, short-term student visits, and potential dual degree programmes. The institutions also discussed the possibility of establishing a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The discussions reflected the shared interest of both institutions in developing academic connections and creating new opportunities based on their respective areas of expertise.

Discovering FSMVU’s Educational Heritage

As part of the visit, Prof. Dr. Johnson also visited the 555th Anniversary Interactive Museum, where she had the opportunity to learn more about FSMVU’s history, educational heritage, and institutional identity. The Erasmus+ KA171 Teaching Staff Mobility provided a valuable platform for academic exchange and strengthened the dialogue between FSMVU and the University of Rhode Island. FSMVU looks forward to building on the outcomes of the visit and exploring further opportunities for sustainable academic cooperation with URI.